I greatly appreciate the article written by David Gest of the Conservancy on the topic of “by right” development. I am sure for reasons of brevity he alluded to but did not focus on the role of voluntary conservation and preservation easements to restrict development of private property. One only has to look at our local easement masterpiece of the St. Martins PCC golf course, or the expansive open spaces at Erdenheim farm to see how private property owners have been able to save enormous parcels of land from overdevelopment.

These locations could have had literally hundreds of houses blocking views, nature trails, walking paths, trees and grass. While overlays and governmental restrictions may impose limitations on the type of construction that can occur “by right,’ easements are a means where owners “by right” can conserve and preserve buildings and open space, mandate views or trails or building facade, to the extent they choose. As a community we and the Conservancy should be trying to find ways to encourage/facilitate and fund property owners to voluntarily slow down new building on open or beautiful properties.

Brad Bank

Chestnut Hill